COSTA MESA -- Vanguard Athletic Director
Jeff Bussell is pleased to announce that
Claire Shubin has been promoted to the role of Head Coach of the Vanguard golf teams. Shubin becomes the second skipper of both sides after finishing her first year at VU as an assistant coach this past school year.
"We believe God places the right people in the right places at the right time, and
Claire Shubin is a testament to that truth," said Bussell. "In just one year, the Lord used her to help guide our men's golf program to its first NCAA Division II Regional appearance and our women's program to its first individual NCAA Division II Regional qualifier; milestones for which we are incredibly grateful. Claire leads with excellence, humility, and a servant's heart, qualities that make a lasting impact on our student-athletes both on and off the course. As we continue to build our golf programs in the NCAA Division II era, I am confident the Lord has great things in store under her leadership. We are thankful for the work God is doing through Coach Shubin and excited for the future of Lions Golf."
Shubin was on the scene for a season of success in 2025-26, which saw each side get time in the sun at the NCAA Regionals. Shubin helped steer the men's team to its first tournament victory at the TMU Danish Classic last October, while two individuals claimed individual gold medals under her watch. She also kept the lineup on the tracks at the Pacific West Conference Championships, as the men placed fourth to set a program record for best finish at a conference tournament. That translated into an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals, where the squad placed 15th. On the women's front, Shubin helped the squad to two top 10 placements, including a sixth-place result at the PacWest Championships.
Theresa Shaw won gold for VU during the first tournament of the year and finished tied for 16th as an at-large golfer at the Regional with her guidance.
"Being a head coach has been my biggest goal since I was a player in the PacWest," relayed Shubin. "I am so honored and blessed to have this opportunity, especially so early in my career. I am looking forward to continuing both of the team's momentum and creating memories that will last a lifetime for my players. Vanguard is a special place, and I am so excited to continue my coaching career at a school that places so much value on the student-athlete and coaches' experience."
Shubin knows the league and the DII scene from her highly successful collegiate playing career. A four-time All-PacWest golfer, Shubin finished in the top 10 at the PacWest Championships on four occasions. She accomplished the feat three times as a Penguin at Dominican University of California, including her individual championship in 2022, and once at Biola during her final campaign. Shubin's five years at DUC led her to a PacWest Scholar Athlete of the Year award and the DUC's Female Student Athlete of the Year season in 2022, and she went to the Regional as an individual in both 2021 and 2022. She won six tournaments as an individual at DUC. Her lone year as an Eagle was prolific, as she was named the PacWest Player of the Year and helped Biola capture the PacWest title in the team's final season. She tied for 10th at that tournament, one place behind Shaw, and tied for 73rd at the NCAA Regional in 2025. With plenty of collegiate experience to draw upon, Shubin adds further depth to her golfing acumen from five years of experience as an assistant professional golf instructor in the Bay Area.
Shubin graduated from DUC in 2023 with a degree in business marketing and a minor in sports management and finished her Master of Business Administration in 2024.
